Friends, family and life-changing; just three of the many words synonymous with Al-Ummah Europe Camp and described as one participant this year as ‘the summer that changed my life!’ This August, in Howtown, Lake District, Al- Ummah 2018 saw 29 participants and a team of facilitators from all over the UK and Europe unite at camp for 11 days.

Have you heard of or been to Al-Ummah before? Well if so, you’ll know that camp days have you rising even before the early bird at around 6.45am and has you crawling into bed, exhausted, exhilarated and thankful for a soft pillow, around 16 hours later. Early morning activities saw us skilfully (for the most part) scaling the side of cliffs, traversing up gushing waterfalls, constructing rafts out of barrels and rope, climbing up natural rock faces and speedily shuffling through dark underground tunnels with our fellow team mates. It became clear very quickly that one of the steepest learning curves for our participants was the first outdoor expedition where participants battled the pouring rain, steep inclines, long distances and a very cold and wet night sleeping in our tents outdoors. However, because of these tough conditions, for many, this expedition became a turning point in their camp journey.  After rising to the challenge with so much enthusiasm and positive energy, it seemed each and every participant reached new heights in changing their perspectives, successfully finding the positives in such a challenging situation with one participant saying that this expedition helped to ‘open my mind. It was hard but it helped me to recognize my strengths.’ A helping hand up the mountain, a shared hot meal, enthusiastic words of encouragement and in some groups a tiny little jig whilst attempting to cheer others up, saw stronger bonds developing between our Ismaili brothers and sisters that only grew stronger and stronger through the rest of their time at camp. Idyllic and picturesque, the backdrop of lush green hills provided the perfect backdrop for reflections and meditations on the mountains, leading many participants to develop a new found appreciation for Allah’s creation, the power of nature and the unity between team mates, during some rare moments of stillness and quiet. After 2 days, 1 night and approximately 10 hours of hiking, the expedition was completed with the knowledge that we all have within us the resilience, strength and courage to conquer and overcome difficulties that life throws at us, with one participant even saying that he felt he had developed the ‘mental strength to know that he will be able to face any challenge’ in the future.

Through the various workshops, participants explored elements of their faith alongside their secular lives. Participants had the opportunity to reflect in bandagi and, in other workshops, upon their social responsibility towards those less fortunate and explored institutional action through the AKDN, and their role in improving the Quality of Life of those in need across the world. This resulted in many of the participants feeling refreshed and reenergised in wanting to help out in their local communities and Jamat Khanas; an opportunity to give back some of their time, through their appreciation of all that we have been blessed with. Our final moments before bedtime were used as a platform to explore strong female and male role models and influences, encouraging and empowering participants to foster more positive relationships between themselves and more importantly to gain an appreciation of their own positive qualities. Living in a time where particular focus and importance is placed on aesthetic beauty, these sessions allowed us all to come away with an appreciation for our unique and natural beautiful qualities, both inside and out, with one participant actually saying ‘taking away my straightener was the best thing you did for me!’  Our final few days saw a very emotional end to camp with tears and hugs all around. A session on our individual spiritual search, a final expedition and closing ceremony saw an outpour of gratitude for every single person on camp. We had all made a difference in each other’s lives and whilst we had met on camp as friends just 10 days before, we were now leaving as family.

Although our camp journey has come to an end, we are certain that all participants and facilitators who joined us this year will continue to develop those bonds made on camp, and hope they remember that they are empowered individuals capable of making a change in our world and that this experience marks the beginning of a lifelong journey as apart of the global Al-Ummah family!